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Paired t-test

Paired t-test is a parametric test for a difference in central location (mean) between two paired samples.

The requirements of the test are:

Two paired samples measured on a continuous scale.

Differences between the samples are from a population with a normal distribution.

Arranging the dataset

Data in existing Excel worksheets can be used and should be arranged in a List dataset layout. The dataset must contain two continuous scale variables.

When entering new data we recommend using New Dataset to create a new 2 variables dataset ready for data entry.

Using the test

To start the test:

Excel 2007:Select any cell in the range containing the dataset to analyse, then click Compare Pairs on the Analyse-it tab, then click t-test.

Excel 97, 2000, 2002 & 2003:Select any cell in the range containing the dataset to analyse, then click Analyse on the Analyse-it toolbar, click Compare Pairs then clickt-test.

Click Variable X and Variable Y and select the variables to compare.

Click Alternative hypothesis and select the alternative hypothesis to test.

X ≠ Y to test if the mean(X) is not equal to mean(Y).

X > Y to test if the mean(X) is greater than mean (Y).

X < Y to test if the mean(X) is less than mean (Y).

Enter Confidence interval to calculate around the mean difference. The level should be entered as a percentage between 50 and 100, without the % sign.

Click OK to run the test.

The report shows the number of observations analysed, and, if applicable, how many missing values were excluded. Summary statistics for each sample and the differences between the samples are then shown.

The difference between the means and confidence interval are shown to quantify the difference between the samples in terms that can be practically evaluated.

The t-statistic and hypothesis test are shown. The p-value is the probability of rejecting the null hypothesis, that the samples have the same mean, when it is in fact true. A significant p-value implies that the two samples have different means.